Real Estate Information Archive

As you start your home buying journey, as exciting as the process is, we understand the confusion and stress that can arise from certain situations and steps that need to be done along the way. You may have new words and phrases thrown at you that you may want to skip over and not pay too much attention to, but at the end of the day it is so important to equip yourself with all the knowledge you possibly can. Two terms you may run across on your home buying journey are pre-qualified and pre-approved. And while the two terms sound similar, there are some pretty significant differences that we believe are crucial for you to understand and for us to touch on in today’s blog post.   

One of the first steps that home buyers will go through in the mortgage process is to get pre-qualified, which can typically be done over the phone or online. This step essentially is when you provide your lender with an overview of your financial picture, including things such as incomes, debts and assets. After evaluating all the information, the lender will then provide an estimate of the mortgage that you may qualify for. We want you to note that the pre-qualification process will not incorporate your credit report and is not a complete look at your ability to purchase the home you may have your eye on. It is simply a process that can give you an idea of potentially what you may be approved for.

On the other hand, the pre-approval process is a little more in depth and and can be much more of an involved process. Instead of just a financial overview as in the pre-qualification process, the pre-approval process will require the home buyer to complete an official mortgage application, as well as provide things such as bank statements and credit reports. After a thorough assessment is made, the lender will be able to give an exact mortgage amount that the buyer is approved for. It is important to note here that being pre-approved will give the seller more confidence in you as a suitable buyer because you will be able to attain financing in order to purchase the home, therefore making the buying process a little smoother – and lets face it, that is always a good thing!

 

As promised, we are continuing last week’s blog post with items outside the home to keep in mind during the selling process. Everything from the garage, backyard and exterior of the home should be organized and tidy to ensure buyers see the full potential of the home. We have listed a few items below in each category that we hope aid you in your selling process. Enjoy! 

Garage:
-Pack any items away that you don’t use on a daily/weekly basis
-Repaint any areas that are dirty or has chipping
-Clean out and sweep garage so it looks nice and neat

Exterior:
-Clean, repaint or replace the front door if needed 
-Repaint the trim and exterior if necessary
-Sweep all patios, walkways, decks and porches
-Clean any stained or dirty concrete with a pressure washer
-If you have a deck with wood, re-staining it can make it look new and fresh
-Stage outdoor furniture to show how the space can be utilized
-Wash the windows inside and outside 
-Replace any rotten wood that is on the exterior of the home

Yard:
-Cut down any plants or shrubs that block windows 
-Remove dead plants from the yard
-Freshly mow, edge and fertilize the lawn on a regular basis
-It is never a bad idea to incorporate fresh flowers for a little splash of color

Other items throughout the home to keep an eye on and replace/clean as needed include light switch covers, blinds, carpets, light bulbs, doors and door knobs, exterior and interior paint and AC/heater vents.  

Selling your home can seem like an overwhelming process, especially when you stop and think about all the little items that need to be completed to make the house ready and appealing to buyers. Knowing this, we wanted to help break some of these tasks down in hopes to ease your mind and make the process a little easier for you and your family. With that said, this week and next weeks’ blog topics are centered around items to keep in mind before the house goes on the market, as well as while the house is being shown. We are going to start this week with a checklist of everything you still need for the indoors. Enjoy!

Kitchen:
-Make sure to organize the pantry so it looks neat and tidy 
-Clear off all items from the countertops 
-Clean the microwave, stove and oven
-Remove any magnets and pictures from the refrigerator doors 
-Put away and organize any cleaning products/mops/brooms
-Clean tile grout and be sure to bleach it if necessary 
-For showings, put away pet food and water dishes
-Make sure the garbage is empty prior to each showing

Living and Family Rooms:
-Make sure tables are clear of clutter
-Remove any furniture in the room that makes it feel small and closed off
-Put away any toys from children/dogs
-Incorporate decorative throws and pillows to make the space soft and inviting 

Bedrooms:
-Clear off any surfaces such as dressers and bedside tables
-Organize closets and keep closet doors closed
-Make beds everyday and invest in new linens if necessary 
-Repair any holes in the walls
-Keep floors clear and be sure to vacuum frequently 

Bathrooms: 
-Make sure to keep out hand soap or a new bar of soap
-Make sure all surfaces are clear and clean
-Replace old hand towels with new decorative ones if necessary 
-If you have a shower curtain, make sure it looks fresh or purchase a new one
-Sanitize countertops and any moldy areas within the bathroom
-Organize countertops so they look neat and clean 
-Always keep toilet lids closed during showings 
-Make sure garbage cans are empty
-Replace caulking if necessary 

Laundry:
-Put away (or organize) any laundry soap and supplies
-Remove all clothing from the room (dirty or clean)
-Make sure floors are clear and clean – vacuum and mop frequently
-Keep all surfaces clear and clean 
-Since many laundry rooms do not have any natural light coming in, it may be a good idea to use high watt light bulbs to make it look brighter in the room

As the first weekend of February came and went, we are left with the excitement and anticipation of Valentine’s Day quickly approaching. There are many fun family events being held throughout Omaha to celebrate this happy and loving time of year. Everything from storytime and craft making, to charity events and swim classes - there is sure to be something for every age and interest. We have listed a few of these events below and hope they are the perfect destination to create beautiful and lasting memories for you and your family!

 

What: Helping Hands for Valentine’s Day
Where: The Wonder Nook
When: February 4th from 2-4pm 
*This is a free event 

What: Valentine’s Family Swim
Where: Mockingbird Hills Community Center
When: February 2nd from 7-9pm
*$1 per person

What: Tween/Teen Valentine’s Program
Where: La Vista Public Library
When: February 3rd from 2-3pm 

What: Movie Day – “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown”
Where: Ralston Public Library
When: February 4th at 2pm

What: Valentine’s Day Storytime
Where: Florence Branch Library
When: February 9th from 10:30-11:30am
*This is a free event

What: Valentine’s Day Storytime 
Where: Washington Branch Library
When: February 10th from 10:30-11am
*This is a free event 

What: Families Love Nature
Where: Hitchcock Nature Center
When: February 10th from 3-5pm
*Free entrance with purchase of a $3 park permit 

What: Valentine’s Day Family Craft
Where: Abrahams Branch Library
When: February 11th from 1:30-2:30pm
*This is a free event 

What: Valentine’s Day Party 
Where: Sorensen Community Center
When: February 14th from 10am-12pm

What: Get Crafty: Valentine’s Day Bird Feeder Craft for Kids
Where: Washington Branch Library
When: February 14th from 4-5pm
*This is a free event

What: Valentine’s Day 
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum
When: February 14th from 10am-4pm

What: Valentine’s Day Bingo 
Where: Ralston Public Library
When: February 14th at 3:30pm 

What: Teen Valentine’s Day Aftermath Party
Where: Abrahams Branch Library
When: February 15th from 6:30-8pm
*This is a free event

Image this: you found your perfect home, made an offer and have come to find out the seller has accepted. What an exciting time! You completed the next step of signing the contract, as well as paid the deposit. And while you are floating on cloud nine, you are approached with some less than exiting news – you find out from the appraiser that the house is worth less than what you offered and the bank will not grant you a mortgage. We know this may seem like a huge set back, but there is something that can protect you if a situation like this arises. It is called can appraisal contingency and we are going to be covering the basics on what it is and how it can help you!

Now, you may be asking yourself what a contingency is and how does it relate to real estate. A contingency is a condition (or conditions) that must be satisfied in order for a real estate contract to become legally binding. The three most common contingencies found in real estate contracts include a finance contingency, an inspection contingency and an appraisal contingency. The deal is off and you are eligible for a refund of your deposit if these conditions are not fulfilled within a set and agreed upon time frame.

Next, lets break down how the appraisal contingency works. A licensed appraiser will typically be hired through your bank, and their job is to conclude what the fair market price of the home should be based on things such as location, similar comps in the area and the condition of the home. Now to keep things simple, lets use an example. Let’s say that the home you want to purchase is $400,000 with a $40,000 down payment and a $360,000 mortgage. Let’s also say that the home is appraised at $350,000 and since the bank will only loan you that amount, you are left $10,000 short. Enter the appraisal contingency stage left. Now if the seller does not agree to lower the price to make up the difference, you are allowed to walk away from the deal and get your deposit back, all thanks to the appraisal contingency. And while the finance contingency has the potential to cover similar risks as the appraisal contingency, it is important to have everything spelled out clearly in your contract to help ensure you are covered from all angels. 

We understand the process of staging and selling your house may seem like a long and daunting one, especially if you throw work, family and outside commitments into the mix. But what many people don’t stop to realize is just how long and daunting the next step of packing up and moving all your belongings can be. The days spent sorting, bubble wrapping and taping can seem never ending, but the actual moving day can tend to be a little stressful and overwhelming - even for the most organized of people. And while (unfortunately) there isn’t a magic trick to take all the stress of the day away, we have listed a few tips and tricks below to help make the day a little more tolerable. Happy moving!

1.) Make a list before moving day to keep yourself organized. Be sure to include any phone numbers you may need so they are able to be referenced easily, and also a list of everyone’s tasks that day.

2.) We suggest an early wake up time on moving day to ensure you are awake and organized, and also have time for a good breakfast (you will need it!).

3.) Be sure to wear appropriate clothing that you are comfortable in and are able to move easily in.

4.) Make sure your cell phone is fully charged to avoid needing to plug it in during the day.

5.) See if you can convince family and/or friends to come help out (food is usually a good bribery tool).

6.) If you have kids and/or pets, see if you can have someone watch them for the day to make sure you can focus and be as productive as possible. 

7.) Make sure to carry all jewelry and important documents on you at all times. Nothing is more stressful than loosing something of value to you on moving day. 

8.) Be sure to label all boxes to keep things organized.

9.) Make cleaning arrangements ahead of time. Once everything is moved out of your house, there is a good chance it will be a total mess and having cleaning plans ahead of time will take some stress off your back.

10.) Keep a smile on! We know moving day is stressful but it is also an exciting day of new beginnings and beautiful memories.

If you live in Omaha, you are no stranger to the beauty and excitement the city has to offer its residents. There are adventures to explore and wonderful history to discover around every corner. But for those of you who may have never been to Omaha but are interested in visiting or moving to the area, this post is for you. Continue reading below for a few reasons we believe Omaha is one of the best destinations in the country to call home!

 

The Food: The restaurants in Omaha are bursting with vibrant flavors and mouthwatering dishes. There is something for every palate and even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy the restaurant scene around town. And if you are wanting to dine in, you will find a variety of Farmers Markets throughout town that offer the freshest local produce.

Friendly and Safe Neighborhoods: Omaha is often referred to as a big city filled with small-town charm. There are many quaint and friendly neighborhoods that are perfect for you and your family to settle into.

Thriving Arts and Music: Omaha has an incredible arts and music scene, and is known as having one of the most diverse music scenes in the country. It offers music goers a non-stop concert line up, as well as fascinating museums and art galleries all around town. There is always something to do or a place to visit to allow your imagination to run wild.

There is always something to do: You will never be at a loss of things to do around Omaha. The city is filled with activities for all ages, old and young alike. From catching a cold beer at a local brewery, to visiting one of the best zoo’s in the country, you will spend your days creating beautiful memories and enjoying everything that this wonderful city has to offer! 

With the winter months in full swing, have you been looking for activities around Omaha that are good for colder days? Maybe you want to get out of the house with the family, but it is simply too cold to enjoy a day outdoors. We hear you! And that is why we have listed below a list of fun, free indoor activities around the city that are perfect for a day out of the house, but away from the frigid temperatures. We hope you enjoy!

-Take a trip to the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, where families can learn about the past, present and future of America’s premier railroad through educational programs and interactive exhibits.

-Visit your local library to look at books, share in story time and participate in local events. The public libraries around town include Bellevue, Omaha, LaVista, Grenta, Baright Public Library and Sump Memorial Library.

-If you have active children, let them burn off some energy at the indoor children’s play areas located within Westroads Mall and Oak View Mall.

-Let your imagination run wild while exploring the ArtWorks interactive space at the Joslyn Art Museum, where children can spend their time doing creative, interactive activities!

-Spend an afternoon at the Do Space Technology Center, which is a technology library that provides free access to the latest devices, software and internet. Let your kids run around in the Kids Room or participate in programs and events.

-Boys Town is also a fun stop, where you can visit the Hall of History, Father Flanagan House, Dowd Chapel and the world’s largest ball of stamps at the Leon Myers Stamp Center.

-If you are looking to snuggle up on the couch after a long day at one of the above activities, be sure to rent a free movie at Family Video, where you will find an outstanding selection of family-friendly movies – for free!